NBA Playoffs Best Bets (April 21) for the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets

Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series went about as expected for the 76ers vs. the Celtics and the Trail Blazers vs. the Spurs. Boston and San Antonio were heavy favorites and won easily. However, there was a little more drama surrounding the Rockets vs. the Lakers.

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Houston was expected to steal a road win from the Lakers with Los Angeles missing two key pieces. But when Kevin Durant, a crucial part of Houston’s lineup, was ruled out, the outlook quickly changed. Now it is time for Game Two. San Antonio and Boston enter as heavy favorites, and Houston is favored despite uncertainty surrounding Durant’s status.

Let’s take a look at the odds for each game and our NBA Playoffs best bets.

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NBA Playoffs Best Bets & Odds for April 21

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics

• Spread: Philadelphia 76ers +13.5 | Boston Celtics -13.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Philadelphia 76ers +575 | Boston Celtics -850
• Total: O/U 216.5 (-110/-110)

Odds via DraftKings

The regular-season series was competitive, which makes it seem like a comeback is possible for the 76ers. However, history favors the No. 2 seed in this matchup, as the No. 7 seed has won the series just three times since 2003. After a dominant showing by the Celtics in Game 1, Boston now has a 94.12% chance of winning the series.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the 76ers are done. However, if they can’t play better without Joel Embiid in the lineup, they might as well be (he is not expected back until April 24 at the earliest).

Boston took a 33-18 lead after the first in Game 1 and never looked back as the 76ers could not figure out how to defend against either Jayson Tatum (25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists) or Jaylen Brown (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists).

However, just dealing with Brown and Tatum will not be enough to get a win in Game 2. The Boston defense held the 76ers to 39% from the floor and 17% from 3-point range. The Celtics’ defense made it so hard for the 76ers to get clean looks. Philadelphia only attempted 23 3-pointers (averaged 35.3 per game in the regular season).

NBA Playoffs Best Bets: 76ers vs. Celtics

• Celtics -7.5 First Half Spread (-120, DraftKings)

Prediction

Philadelphia competed with the Celtics during the regular season, but Boston has since evolved and gotten Jayson Tatum back. The 76ers have not improved, and they are again without Joel Embiid. Philadelphia will put forth a better effort in this game, but the Celtics will once again have an easy time with them in the first half and will probably lead by double digits at the break. Boston will probably cover the 13.5-point spread, but it would not be shocking if they took their foot off the gas in the second half and let Philly get within ten. But they’ll have their foot on the gas for the first half and lead by 10+ at the break, making the first half spread the better bet.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs

• Spread: Portland Trail Blazers +11.5 (-110) | San Antonio Spurs -11.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers +500 | San Antonio Spurs -700
• Total: O/U 220.5 (-110/-110)

Odds via bet365

Portland has to be a little encouraged after seeing how Monday night’s games played out. History favors the teams that win the first game in a first-round series, but two higher seeds (underdogs) defied the odds to win outright (Minnesota over Denver and Atlanta over New York). Cleveland covered in its game vs. Atlanta, but only by 0.5 points.

So, if other teams can do it, maybe they can, too. It’s not like they were embarrassed in Game 1 vs. the Spurs. While San Antonio won the regular-season series vs. Portland 2-1, the Trail Blazers got their win in San Antonio (115-110).

But Victor Wembanyama makes this Spurs team very different from the one they beat. The unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner did not face the Trail Blazers in the regular season. Portland clearly had no answer for the young phenom in Game 1 (35 points, 5-6 from 3-point range).

However, Portland may not have to worry too much about slowing Wembanyama down if it can fix one other aspect of its game. The Trail Blazers hit just 26% of their 3-point attempts (10-38) in Game 1, well below their season average (34.3%, 14.5-42.2).

NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Trail Blazers vs. Spurs

• UNDER 220.5 (-110, bet365)
  

Prediction

San Antonio should win this game; yes, the upsets on Monday give hope for Trail Blazers fans. But, while I expect Portland to play a better game, they will not play so much better that they threaten to steal a win here. However, I can’t say with confidence that San Antonio will cover an 11.5-point spread. During the regular season, the over was 18-23 at home for the Spurs and 18-25 on the road for the Trail Blazers. That trend will continue today as the Spurs' defense will control the game once again.

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Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

• Spread: Houston Rockets -4.5 (-115) | Los Angeles Lakers +4.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Houston Rockets -192 | Los Angeles Lakers +160
• Total: O/U 207.5 (-110/-110)

Odds via DraftKings

How this game will play out depends on one thing: whether Kevin Durant suits up and plays. If he does, Houston will undoubtedly have the advantage as the best offensive player in the game will be in its lineup. However, his status is still up in the air and could literally come down to a game-time decision.

There is hope that he will play, of course. He moved much better in practice than he had over the last few days after suffering a deep patellar tendon bruise in his right knee. After dropping Game 1, the Rockets do not want to head home down 0-2. So, you have to think they’ll do everything possible to get him on the court.

However, the expected return dates for Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are around May 1, per ESPN. The Rockets could decide to keep him on the bench with the intention of getting him 100% for a series with the Thunder. They will certainly need him just to be competitive against OKC.

Los Angeles won Game 1 in part because Luke Kennard had the game of his life and because the Rockets could not make a basket if their lives depended on it. Kennard, or someone else, could have another such night. But it may be more likely that Houston’s shooters have a better night while Kennard regresses.

NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Rockets vs. Lakers

• Rockets -4.5 (-115, DraftKings)

Prediction

Houston’s defense wasn’t bad in Game 1; it was their offense that totally let them down. If Durant comes back, that will almost certainly change, but he may sit again. This is a Lakers team that they can beat without him, but not if they underperform again.